LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization (previous ILO) in South Africa
South Africa: LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization (previous ILO) was 44.56 in 2024. ▲ Rising
LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization (previous ILO) in South Africa, 2008–2024
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
The most recent figure for lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization (previous ilo) in South Africa is 44.56, measured in 2024.
The figure is up 0.6% on the previous year and up 17.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization (previous ilo) in South Africa peaked at 48.5 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 33.33, in 2008.
That places South Africa 1st out of 75 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 16 years of available data.
LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization (previous ILO) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 33.33 | — |
| 2009 | 36.07 | +8.2% |
| 2010 | 38.34 | +6.3% |
| 2011 | 38.3 | -0.1% |
| 2013 | 38.25 | -0.1% |
| 2014 | 38.1 | -0.4% |
| 2015 | 37.95 | -0.4% |
| 2016 | 39.26 | +3.4% |
| 2017 | 39.5 | +0.6% |
| 2018 | 40.04 | +1.4% |
| 2019 | 41.43 | +3.5% |
| 2020 | 45.78 | +10.5% |
| 2021 | 48.5 | +5.9% |
| 2022 | 46.55 | -4.0% |
| 2023 | 44.28 | -4.9% |
| 2024 | 44.56 | +0.6% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 44.56 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 13.16, 3.4× the median. (23 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 44.56 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 26.7, 1.7× the median. (8 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 34.7 | 33.33 | 36.07 | 2 |
| 2010s | 39.02 | 37.95 | 41.43 | 9 |
| 2020s | 45.93 | 44.28 | 48.5 | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More work & labour data for South Africa
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.2264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.242 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.2122 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.23 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.8748 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 58,057 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 14,698 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 49,126 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 45,189 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 94,314 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization (previous ilo) in South Africa?
- Lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization (previous ilo) in South Africa was 44.56 in 2024, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization (previous ilo) recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 48.5 in 2021.
- What is the lowest lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization (previous ilo) recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 33.33 in 2008.
- How does South Africa rank for lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization (previous ilo)?
- South Africa ranks 1st out of 75 countries with data for 2024.
- Is lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization (previous ilo) rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 17.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15+). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
With the aim of promoting international comparability, statistics presented on ILOSTAT are based on standard international definitions wherever feasible and may differ from official national figures. This series is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. For time series comparability, it includes countries that have implemented the 19th ICLS standards, for which data are also available in the Work Statistics -- 19th ICLS (WORK) database. LU4 represents the share of the extended labour force that are in unemployment, time-related underemployment or the potential labour force. Data disaggregated by level of education are provided on the highest level of education completed, classified according to the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED). Data may have been regrouped from national classifications, which may not be strictly compatible with ISCED. For more information, refer to the Education and Mismatch Indicators (EMI) database description.